> At a Glance
> – LinkedIn scammers pose as recruiters, consultants, and investors
> – AI-crafted messages now hide traditional grammar red flags
> – Why it matters: One click or $399 “consulting fee” can drain bank accounts or steal identities
LinkedIn’s professional vibe lulls users into trust-exactly what scammers exploit. Ethan R. Coleman asked cybersecurity pros how fake recruiters, crypto pushers, and phony consultants are turning job hunts into costly traps.
The New Face of LinkedIn Fraud
Fake recruiters now use AI to pitch $399 book-marketing gigs or aerospace writing jobs to writers with zero aviation background. Ethan R. Coleman spotted both; LinkedIn later nuked the marketer’s profile.
Security evangelist Tony Anscombe warns timing tricks spike year-round:
- Holidays: fake delivery phishing
- Tax season: bogus IRS messages
- Any day: links moved to WhatsApp to erase paper trails
Seven Scams to Dodge
| Scam Type | Hook | Price Tag |
|---|---|---|
| Fake Job | Too-good pay, misspelled URL | Stolen data or malware |
| Phishing | Urgent link via DM | Device hijack |
| Catfishing | Romance + investment pitch | Crypto drain |
| Advance Fee | “Pay $500 to unlock $50k” | Cash lost |
| Consulting | $399 for résumé rewrite | Ghosted after payment |
Mark Anthony Dyson, author of The Job Scam Report, stresses: Legitimate recruiters never ask for money up front.
Spot & Stop Them
- Verify URLs on WhoIs.com
- Check follower count-three followers is a red flag
- Apply only through company career pages
- Keep early chats on LinkedIn
- Refuse upfront payments for jobs or gear
What if you already clicked?
> “Change passwords instantly, alert your bank, and report the profile to LinkedIn and the FTC,” Anscombe says.
Key Takeaways
- AI now fixes grammar-look for thin profiles, not typos
- Zero followers + no photo = instant suspicion
- Move conversations off-platform only after verifying identity
- Never pay to get hired; real costs come later via payroll
Stay cynical: treat every LinkedIn message as fake until proven real.
